Protective face mask

ABSTRACT

A protective face mask includes an eye-protecting shield made essentially from a plastics material. The eye-protecting shield is dimensioned to cover at least the eye portions of a human wearer. The eye-protecting shield has a perimeter defining a first surface facing the wearer&#39;s face, and a second surface facing away from the wearer&#39;s face. An adhesive forms an adhesive strip attached to the first surface of the eye-protecting shield for providing a substantially watertight and releasable sealing engagement between at least a portion of the perimeter forming an upper edge of the face mask and at least a portion of the skin of the wearer&#39;s face.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of copending application Ser. No.11/896,127 filed on Aug. 29, 2007, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/840,691, filed on Aug. 29, 2006. Theentire contents of all of the above applications is hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a face mask comprising a protective eyeshield dimensioned to cover at least the eye portions of a human wearer.The face mask is particularly useful for shielding against water orshampoo during showering and hair washing. The face mask is alsoapplicable in hairdressing for protecting the wearer's eyes from hairtonic, rinse, hair spray, hair colour and clippings, or in the area ofleisure, e.g. for protecting bikers', runners' or hikers' eyes fromrain, wind, sun and bugs.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Eye goggles and face masks are habitually used to keep the wearer's eyesprotected from external environments. For example, swimming goggles areused to protect the wearer's eyes from water.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Traditional eye goggles and face masks normally comprise a spongy orrubber-like material for providing a seal between a perimeter of thegoggles or face masks and a portion of the face surrounding the wearer'seyes. Such goggles and face masks are typically made of a rigid plasticmaterial. The eye goggles or face masks may be held in place, firmlyengaging the wearer's face, by head straps or elastic bands. Goggles andface masks are traditionally sealed around the entire eye contour of thewearer. The sealing can cause pressure on the skin in the contact zonebetween the seal and the skin, thereby causing restrictions on eyecontour movements. The sealing may further cause pressure marks on theskin.

An alternative type of eyewear is known from WO 2004/010912, disclosinga lens adapted to cover at least one of a user's eyes, and a sealingframe adjacent the perimeter of the lens for generally providingprotection to the eyes of a user during use by isolating the user's eyesfrom the outside environment. In one embodiment, the frame is compliantand resiliently deformable and adapted to form a seal between the frameand at least a portion of the user's face along the perimeter of thelens. The frame has an adhesive side disposed partially beyond theperimeter of the lens and adapted to adhere releasably to a portion ofthe user's face.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,535 discloses a shield for providing a water proofseal across the forehead and along the sides of the face shield to allowa patient having recently had facial cosmetic or reconstructive surgeryto shower and shampoo their hair while keeping the bandages andincisions in a clean dry condition. The edge of the shield having theadhesive is, in the preferred form, pressed against the patient'sforehead adjacent the hairline and down along the temples and the sideof the face. The shield is of a flexible material allowing the bendingand forming along the contour of the face while being rigid enough toretain its shape and form a shield spaced from the patient's face, andproduces a tent-like structure leading away from the forehead downwardlyover the nose and extending beyond the chin of the patient. As theshield disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,535 extends beyond the chin ofthe patient humidity from exhaled air will condense at the inner surfacethereof and form dew being highly undesirable, especially if used forprotecting children's eyes, nose and mouth during bathing. Furthermore,children may feel isolated behind a full face mask covered with dew.

A device for protecting certain facial areas is known from WO2005/110147. The device comprises a transparent shield and an adhesivearea for fastening the device on the face of an individual, saidadhesive area being applied to the shield in a border area thereof. Theadhesive area is configured by a plurality of adhesive points therebyproviding an protection against fine cut hair during hair cut athairdressers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention toprovide a comfortable, flexible face mask that provides a shield for thewearer's eyes without the need for straps, elastic bands or side barsfor keeping the face mask in place, said face mask being comfortable andeasy to use.

It is a further object of preferred embodiments of the present inventionto provide a face mask, which avoids pressure on the skin in the contactzone between seal and skin, and which allows free eye movement.

Still further it is an object of the invention to provide a face maskwhich allows for free airflow to the eye region and nose and mouthallowing free breathing through the nose and the mouth, and whichminimizes the inconvenience of dewing on the surfaces of the mask andleaves the jaw area free enabling unhindered jaw movement, e.g. whenspeaking.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a face mask which inuse directs water to one or both sides of the face for avoiding waterflowing from the mask in front of the nose and the mouth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In a first aspect the present inventions provides a protective face maskcomprising:

-   -   an eye-protecting shield made essentially from a plastics        material, the eye-protecting shield being dimensioned to cover        at least the eye portions of a human wearer, the eye-protecting        shield having a perimeter defining a first surface facing the        wearer's face, and a second surface facing away from the        wearer's face;    -   an adhesive forming an adhesive strip attached to the first        surface of the eye-protecting shield for providing a        substantially watertight and releasable sealing engagement        between at least a portion of the perimeter forming an upper        edge of the face mask and at least a portion of the skin of the        wearer's face, wherein    -   the upper part of the perimeter of the mask is provided with a        continuous layer of adhesive along the perimeter, and the lower        part of the perimeter of the mask is free of adhesive,    -   the lower part of the perimeter forms a bottom edge of the mask        being provided with at least one part forming a projection        offset from the centre line of the mask, and wherein    -   the mask extends along the contour of the wearer's face from the        forehead to cheekbones and the lower perimeter thereof extends        above the mouth.

The face mask of the invention fulfils the above-mentioned objects andis in the form of a simple and cheap product which is easy tomanufacture and use and more comfortable than the masks of the state ofthe art, especially the mask disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,535. Ithas been found that the problems with condensation are minimized usingthe mask of the invention. It has been found that the lower edge of theface mask should extend to a level above the upper lip in order tointerfere with exhaled air. Typically it will be suitable that the loweredge of the mask extends no more than about 2 centimetres below the tipof the nose in order to minimize formation of dew at the surface facingthe wearer.

In a preferred embodiment of the face mask the lower perimeter thereofextends above the tip of the nose. This embodiment is preferred for usefor e.g. children or for adults closing the mouth when bathing.

The at least one projection may be sharp-pointed or preferably have aconvex shape.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the lower part of theperimeter of the mask is provided with a convex-concave-convex bottomedge having two convex parts forming projections offset from the centreline of the mask providing a safe draining of water avoiding waterflowing from the mask in front of the nose and the mouth.

In another embodiment of the invention the upper part of the perimeterof the mask generally has a convex shape giving an easier and betteradaptation to the shape of the forehead and also assists in directingwater around the nose and the mouth.

In preferred embodiments, the eye-protecting shield is made from onesingle piece of material, with the adhesive being attached to the firstsurface of the single-piece eye-protecting shield. It will hence beappreciated that the face mask may be frameless, and that embodiments ofthe invention hence may be more flexible, light and compliant than theeyewear disclosed in WO 2004/010912 and furthermore avoids the problemsformation of dew for the face mask disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,535.

In another preferred embodiment, the eye-protecting shield is made fromtwo pieces of material, the eye-protecting shields each beingdimensioned to cover at least one eye portion of a human wearer, withthe adhesive being attached to the first surface of the eye-protectingshields.

It should be understood that the single piece of material may compriseadhesively bonded layers or layers which are joined by any othertechniques known per se. It should further be understood that theadhesive may be provided as a layer to the first surface of theeye-protecting shield (or “lens”), the thickness of the layer suitablybeing approximately in the range of that of the plastics material of theeye-protecting shield, for example a thickness of 0.01-2.5 mm.Alternatively, the eye-protecting shield may have a thickness ofapproximately 0.01-2.5 mm, with the adhesive layer having a thickness ofapproximately 0.01-1.0 mm. In other embodiments, the eye-protectingshield may have a thickness of approximately 0.01-1.0 mm, with theadhesive layer having a thickness of approximately 0.01-2.5 mm.

Embodiments including two components only, i.e. the single-pieceeye-protecting shield and the adhesive attached thereto provide asimplified construction. Generally, the simple structure of the facemask of the present invention allows it to be manufactured at low cost,while being light, comfortable and easy to use, e.g. for protecting thewearer's eyes during treatment or washing of the wearer's hair.

The adhesive is preferably provided as a band or strip extending alongor adjacent the perimeter of the eye-protecting shield. In oneembodiment, the band or strip may lie flush with the perimeter of theshield without extending beyond the perimeter, whereas in otherembodiments, it may be retracted a distance of, e.g. approximately 0.1-5mm from the shield perimeter.

The face mask may be disposable, i.e. for single use only, or it may bere-usable. In order to ensure re-usability or re-fitting of the facemask, an adhesive providing a resealable sealing engagement with theskin of the wearer's face may be used.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to the use of anadhesive selected from a group consisting of hydrocolloid, hydrogel andany combination thereof for attaching a face mask to a face of a humanwearer.

Other adhesives with similar characteristics may also be used.

In a preferred embodiment the adhesive is capable of adhering to wetand/or substantially dry skin enabling the application of the face maskafter commencing bathing.

It is suitable for the purpose of the present invention to use anadhesive selected form the group consisting of hydrocolloid adhesives,hydrogel adhesives and any combination thereof.

In an embodiment of the invention is used an adhesive which provides aresealable sealing engagement with the skin of the wearer's faceenabling a reuse of the face mask e.g. for home use when bathingchildren.

The sealing structure or adhesive may e.g. comprise one or moreskin-friendly adhesives such as a hydrocolloid adhesive, commerciallyavailable from Coloplast A/S, 3050 Humlebæk, Denmark, under the tradename Curagard™. The adhesive may comprise hydrocolloid adhesives asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,732 “Skin barrier” (Coloplast A/S)and/or U.S. Pat. No. 3,339,546 “Bandage for adhering to moist surfaces”(Squibb) which are hereby incorporated by reference. In anotherembodiment, the adhesive may be applied to wet skin using askin-friendly hydrogel adhesive such as First Water hydrogel adhesive,commercially available from First Water Ltd., Wiltshire, UK, under thetrade name Gel 20 hydrogel. Another hydrogel adhesive which may be usedis described in WO 2005/033198 “A composition useful as an adhesive anduse of such a composition” (Coloplast A/S) which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

Such adhesives have been developed with the primary aim of attachingstoma systems to the abdominal skin portions of stoma patients and forprotecting skin areas and parts of the body against pressure impact andfriction. However, the present inventor has found that they are alsosuitable for application to face masks as disclosed herein. Generally,the adhesive may be provided as a coating on a surface of the shield oras a tape attached thereto.

An alternative suitable adhesive is available from 3M Corporation asproduct No. 1526.

Embodiments of the invention may include several types of adhesivesprovided e.g. in adjacent bands on a surface of the shield, therebycombining the benefits and advantages of several adhesives in a singleproduct.

The adhesive preferably comprises a flexible adhesive structure,including a comparatively thin layer of adhesive, cf. the aboveconsiderations regarding layer thickness compared to shield thickness.In another preferred embodiment the thickness of the adhesive layer isapproximately in the range of the plastics material of theeye-protecting shield.

In order to secure eye contour movement and free air flow acrosswearer's eye region, the adhesive may be attached to an upper part ofthe perimeter of the face mask only, leaving a lower part of theperimeter free of adhesive. Thereby, the wearer's eyes may beefficiently protected thanks to the watertight seal between the wearer'sforehead and the protecting shield, while a complete isolation from theoutside environment is avoided.

In a further embodiment the face mask according to the invention isprovided with an expandable layer between the adhesive strip and theshield, said expandable layer being provided with one or more pockets orcells having at least one opening adjacent to the upper edge of themask. In use, water will fill the pockets and lift the mask from thefore head and thus assist in avoiding that the face mask touches theeye-lashes giving rise to nuisance, especially for children.

It is preferred that the expandable layer comprises a series ofindividual pockets giving a relatively flat product and providing ahomogeneous lift across the forehead.

In one embodiment of the invention is used an expandable layer comprisesa series of interconnected pockets assisting in providing a homogeneouslifting of the face mask. In a further embodiment of the invention isused an expandable layer comprising sections of interconnected pockets.

It is also considered an embodiment of the invention to provide theinner side of the pockets or cells with a hydrophilic coating forfacilitating the entering of water.

In a still further embodiment of the invention the central part of thebottom edge of the mask is provided with a gutter system for guidingwater from the centre of the face. Such a system will direct water awayfrom the nose and mouth region along the lower edge of the mask,preferably to one or more projections facilitating the draining off fromthe mask.

It is desirable that the protective shield and thus the face mask isflexible and light. The eye-protecting shield should preferably besufficiently light and flexible to allow it to conform comfortably tothe shape and contour of the wearer's face in the region of the wearer'seyes and nose. The face mask, or at least a major portion of theeye-protecting shield, may be transparent, allowing the wearer to viewthrough the shield.

There may be provided a printed or coloured portion on at least one ofthe first and second surfaces, e.g. with the purpose of identifying thewearer. If, for example, the face mask is used during sportcompetitions, the printed or coloured portion may allow identificationof the wearer or the team to which he/she belongs. Alternatively, theprinted portion may include instructions for use, e.g. instructionsillustrating removal of a release liner optionally protecting theadhesive. Alternatively, the printed or coloured portion may providecommercial advertisements, or they may have purely decorative purposes.A release liner may be any release liner known per se, e.g. forprotecting ostomy or wound care appliances.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the plastics material of theeye-protecting shield is provided with a coating with one or morecoatings selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   coatings protecting against ultra-violet penetration;    -   coatings providing water-shedding or hydrophobic properties; and    -   coatings providing anti-dew properties.

It is also considered a part of the invention to provide the face maskof the invention with further coatings which e.g. protects viewers ofeclipses of the sun from damaging the eyes or to provide the mask withdifferent colours a red part in front of one eye and a green part infront of the other eye to enable the provision of printedthree-dimensional pictures.

The face mask according to the invention may be provided with aprojection removal grip located on the same level as the end of theadhesive strip for facilitating the removal of the mask. Such a grip ispreferably located at the end of the adhesive strip for peeling the maskfrom the face along the adhesive strip and essentially perpendicularlythereto minimizing the peel force and the straining of parts of theface. In one embodiment the grip is located at the left side of the maskfor convenience for right-handed assistants such as parents bathingchildren or alternatively the grip is located at the right side of themask for convenience for left-handed assistants (parents).

It is preferred to provide the mask with a release-liner provided with aprojecting removal grip located on the same level as the face mask'sremoval grip and having an edge protruding from the adhesive layer forfacilitating the removal thereof from the adhesive surface beforeapplication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is disclosed more in detail with reference to the drawingsin which

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 in the area ofthe adhesive strip;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a is a partial, magnified cross section of a side of theembodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of removal of release liner;

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial cross section of a face mask according to thepresent invention as worn by a wearer;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial cross section of anotherface mask according to thepresent invention as worn by a wearer;

FIG. 10 is a partial, magnified cross section of a side of theembodiment of the present invention with water pockets;

FIG. 10 a is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present inventionwith water pockets;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along the line 11-11 of FIG. 8 in thearea of the adhesive strip and the layer with water pockets;

FIG. 12 a is a partial, magnified cross section of a side of theembodiment of the present invention with empty water pockets;

FIG. 12 b is a partial, magnified cross section of a side of theembodiment of the present invention with full water pockets;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the water pockets;

FIG. 14 a is a cross sectional view of the top of multiple waterpockets;

FIG. 14 b is a cross sectional view of the top of one single waterpocket;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present inventionwith a gutter system

FIG. 16 a is a pictorial cross section of a face mask according to thepresent invention with an almost close loop gutter system;

FIG. 16 b is a pictorial cross section of a face mask according to thepresent invention with an almost open gutter system;

FIG. 16 c is a pictorial cross section of a face mask according to thepresent invention with a 45 degree open gutter system;

FIG. 17 is a pictorial view of removal of release-liner with removalgrip; and

FIGS. 18-21 schematically show the flow of water on differentembodiments of face masks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is now explained more in detail with reference to thedrawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention but which arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as set forthin the appended claims.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a face mask 8 in accordance with the presentinvention. The face mask 8 generally provides protection against liquidssuch as soap and water or rain, wind, bugs, sun or light without sealingoff the entire eye contour and without the use of elastic bands, headstraps and side bars and furthermore without sealing off the side of theface and the jaw area. The face mask comprises a plastic shield 10, to asurface of which there is provided an adhesive strip 11. At least aportion and preferably the entire plastic shield 10 is transparent. Theshield material is flexible and light, so that it easily conforms to thewearer's face. The adhesive strip 11 comprises one or more adhesivesthat can adhere to wet and/or dry skin. The adhesive strip forms acontinuous watertight seal between the shield 10 and a portion of theuser's face.

Suitable materials for the eye-protective shield of the invention aretransparent flexible materials like e.g. a polyurethane film (PU). Theshield is preferable a thin, transparent, flexible plastic materialwhich may be essentially planar or shaped in three dimensions. It ispreferably shaped and sized such that the perimeter of the shieldextends along with and in contact with the contour of the wearer's facefrom the forehead to cheekbones and nose tip. Other suitable plasticmaterials are acryl ester materials such as PMMA, polystyrene materials,polycarbonates or polyolefins such as polyethylene of polypropylene orpolyvinyl chloride.

For example, the shield may be made from a single sheet of polyurethanefilm, optionally surface-treated and/or coated and provided with theadhesive.

A suitable material for the adhesive strip 11 is a flexible, compliant,skin-friendly adhesive material having a “fast tack” that is easy toapply to the users face and easy to remove from the users face afteruse. In one embodiment of the invention, the adhesive comprises one ormore skin-friendly adhesives such as a hydrocolloid adhesive,commercially available from Coloplast A/S, 3050 Humlebæk, Denmark underthe tradename Curagard™. In another embodiment, the adhesive strip 11comprises hydrocolloid adhesives as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,732“Skin barrier” (Coloplast A/S) and/or U.S. Pat. No. 3,339,546 “Bandagefor adhering to moist surfaces” (Squibb). In a third embodiment, theadhesive strip 11 can be applied to wet skin using a skin-friendlyhydrogel adhesive such as First Water hydrogel adhesive, commerciallyavailable from First Water Ltd., Wiltshire, UK, under the trade name Gel20 hydrogel. In yet another embodiment, the adhesive strip 11 is ahydrogel adhesive as described in WO 2005/033198 “A composition usefulas an adhesive and use of such a composition” (Coloplast A/S).Embodiments of the invention may include several types of adhesivesprovided e.g. in adjacent bands on a surface of the shield, therebycombining the benefits and advantages of several adhesives in a singleproduct. Suitable reusable adhesives are e.g. silicone adhesives knownfor use for applying external breast prostheses.

In FIGS. 4 and 4 a, the adhesive strip 11 is shown disposed adjacent tothe edge of the shield 10. As shown in FIG. 4 a, shield 10 extendsbeyond the adhesive strip 11, but the adhesive strip may also continueall the way to the edge, i.e. lie flush with the perimeter of theperimeter of the shield. The adhesive strip 11 is shown with exaggeratedthickness in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the construction of an embodiment of the face mask 8 whichcomprises two components, a shield 10 and an adhesive strip 11, wherethe adhesive strip extends along the perimeter 12 of the shield 10 asindicated by the dotted line. The adhesive strip comprises one or moreadhesives as discussed above.

As shown in FIG. 6, the adhesive strip 11 may be protected by aremovable release liner 13 to be removed before applying.

FIG. 6 a shows a perspective view indicating the size and placing of anembodiment of a face mask of the invention when used in showering.

In FIG. 7, the face mask 8 is illustrated in use. A transparent plasticshield 10 covers the wearer's eyes and is retained in place by theadhesive strip 11. FIG. 7 illustrates how the eyewear 10 protects thewearer's eyes without sealing off the entire eye contour, providing freeeye contour movements and air supply to the eyes. FIG. 7 alsoillustrates the free access to the user's hair during use of the facemask 8 and also illustrates that the jaw area is free and enablesunhindered movement of the jaw, e.g. when speaking.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show another embodiment of a face mask 8 in accordancewith the present invention. The face mask generally provides protectionagainst liquids such as soap and water, or rain, bugs, sun, lightwithout sealing off the entire eye contour and without sealing off thejaw area and without the use of elastic bands, head straps and sidebars. The face mask is suitably made from the same materials as statedabove.

The face mask 8 has a slightly convex upper edge 1, said upper edgefollowing the shape of the forehead, having a top point 0 and having aconvex-concave-convex (wave shaped) bottom edge 6. The distance betweenthe lower concave point 5 (upper wave point 5) and the convex point 2(lower wave point 2) should suitably be from 0.5 to 2 cm, e.g. about 1cm. The water will then be directed away from the nostrils and towardsthe convex points 2 of the mask, essentially preventing water fromfalling or dripping in front of the nose and mouth.

The lower concave point 5 should as a minimum start at the tip of thenose 20 and maximum start at the level of the mouth 30 (typically offsetabout 3 cm from the nose) to prevent dewing and moist to develop insidethe shield from humidity of exhaled air. The distance between the toppoint 0 and the lower concave point 5 is suitably so that it covers theface from the forehead to minimum the nose tip 20, and preferable nolonger than the level of the mouth 30 (normally from about 8.5 cm toabout 11.5 cm) depending on the size of the head of the intended user.

The side edges 7 of the face mask 8 follow the shape of the face fromthe temple down to the cheekbones continuing into theconvex-concave-convex (wave shaped) bottom edge 6. The distance betweenthe side edges 7 is minimum so, that the mask can be applied withoutinducing pressure on the nose bone from the plastic shield 10, and atthe same time allows the plastic shield 10 to lift up and free of thenose bone to improve air flow within the mask and secure a clear visual(suitably from about 16 to about 22 cm).

FIG. 9 illustrates the face mask 8 in use. The face mask 8 is preferablyplaced slightly above the eyebrows 60, avoiding getting too close to thehair-line 40, so hair is not caught between the face mask 8 and theforehead.

The adhesive band indicated by 11 is designed to follow the upperslightly convex edge 1 until the level of the corner of the eyes 50,providing a watertight seal between the forehead and the plastic shield10 without aggravating eye contour movement and jaw movements(especially children are active, moving and talking a lot, so it isimportant that the adhesive does not extend below the cheekbone in orderto avoid skin irritation from mechanical movement of the jaw), andsecuring an easy and safe application due to the short length of theadhesive band 11.

In FIG. 10 is shown a part of an embodiment of the invention having anadhesive strip 11 disposed adjacent an expandable layer 16 comprisingthe water pockets, and the layer 16 is shown disposed adjacent theshield 10. In the embodiment shown the shield 10 extends beyond thelayer 16 comprising water pockets, but the layer 16 comprising waterpockets may be placed adjacent to the edge, i.e. lie flush with theperimeter of the perimeter of the shield 10 or even extend beyond theshield 10. The layer 16 comprising water pockets extends beyond theadhesive strip 11, but alternatively the adhesive strip may continue allthe way to the edge of the water pockets 16, i.e. lie flush with theperimeter of the water pockets.

FIG. 10 a shows an exploded view of the construction of an embodiment ofthe face mask 8 which comprises four components, a shield 10 with anexpandable layer 16 comprising water pockets that extends along theperimeter 12 of the shield 10, an adhesive strip 11 extending along theperimeter 12 on top of the layer 16 comprising water pockets, and arelease-liner 15 that extends along the upper slightly convex edge 1from the point 110 just below the removal grip 14 on the face mask 8till the point 110 on the opposite side.

The adhesive strip may comprise one or more adhesives as discussed underFIGS. 4 and 4 a.

In this embodiment it is preferred that the removal grip 14 is locatedat the level of the ends 110 of the adhesive strip.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional detail of the adhesive strip 11 and thewater pockets 16 in an empty position, both shown with an exaggeratedthickness, attached to the shield 10.

FIGS. 12 a and 12 b shows a cross-sectional detail of the adhesive strip11 and the layer 16 comprising water pockets, attached to the shield 10.In FIG. 12 a the layer 16 comprising water pockets the pockets are emptyand preferable flat, so that the face mask 8 does not take up space i.e.the face mask 8 can be easily packed and transported. FIG. 12 b showsthe expanded layer 16 with water pockets, when filled with water. Afterthe user has placed the face mask 8 on the forehead and enters theshower, the water pockets will be filled with water from the shower andexpand the pockets from the flat position 17 in FIG. 12 a to theexpanded position 18 in FIG. 12 b, thereby lifting the face mask 8 adistance 19 from the forehead. The lifting 19 will prevent that theshield 10 touches the eye-lashes, so free eye movement is secured andmaximum comfort obtained.

In FIG. 13 a filling system of the water pockets is illustrated. Thelayer 16 comprising the water pocket system is preferable built on theconcept of liquids free flow like it is known per se from e.g. ice-cubebags. The water enters through openings 21 and to secure a fast fillingof all single pockets 25, the water will distribute in the layercomprising the pocket system through the openings 21 and transverseopenings 22. The water pocket system may consist of one or multiplepockets 25, with one or more inlet openings 21, and with one or moretransverse openings 22 connecting the pockets 25.

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b show the surface 23 of the layer 16 comprising waterpockets. In FIG. 14 a the layer 16 consists of multiple water pockets25. The layer 16 comprising the water pocket system preferable consistsof several pockets 25, providing a multiple chamber-system. By usingmultiple champers, the surface 23 of the layer 16 can be kept relativelyflat providing a homogenous lift of the face mask 8 across the face whenfilling the pockets with water. In FIG. 14 b the layer 16 comprising thewater pocket system is shown with one single water pocket 25. Due to thesingle water pocket the surface 23 of the layer comprising the waterpocket will be slightly convex when filled. The number of water pockets25 can be arbitrarily chosen form 1 to many, and the shape of thepockets 25 may also be any appropriate shape, e.g. similar to ice-cubebags.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an embodiment of a face mask 8 according to thepresent invention provided with a gutter system 31.

The face mask 8 has a gutter 31 placed at the convex-concave-convex(wave-shaped) bottom edge 6 of the second surface facing away from theuser's face direct water away from the nose and mouth region and towardsthe convex points 2 on the face mask 8 essentially preventing drippingof water in front of the mouth (children like to talk hence it isimportant to avoid getting a lot of water in the mouth).

The gutter 31 does preferable stretch from the convex point 2 at theleft side of the face mask 8 over the concave point 5, to the convexpoint 2 at the right side of the face mask 8, but a shorter gutter 31e.g. from a point 32 on the left side of the face mask 8 to acorresponding point 32 on the right side of the face mask 8 will give asimilar effect. The height of the gutter 31 may be the same over thefull length or vary and be lower at the end points. The bending of thegutter may vary from nearly a full sized circle 33 to a 90 degrees opencircle 34. Preferable the bending of the gutter is app. 45 degrees forobtaining optimal diversion of the water flow.

FIG. 17 shows a face mask 8 according to the present invention providedwith an application and removal grip 14. The application and removalgrip 14 is preferable the size of a thumb for optimal hold, easyapplication of the face mask 8 and easy removal of the face mask 8 afteruse. The grip 14 should preferable be placed along the left side 7, withthe bottom of the grip starting at end point 110 of the adhesive stripto secure a regular even draw (single direction) minimizing the peelforce when removing the release liner 13 from the adhesive 11—andminimizing the peel force when removing the face mask 8 from the face ofthe wearer, securing optimal gentleness.

As shown in FIG. 17, the adhesive strip 11 may be protected by aremovable release liner 13 for protecting the adhesive before use. Theface mask 8 is designed to make hair wash unproblematic; henceapplication of the face mask 8 before use, and removal of the face mask8 after use is made very simple. The release liner 13 is removed bypulling the release liner grip 15 away from the removal grip 14 on theface mask 8. The regular even draw, that is initiated at point 110(single direction) minimises the peel force and thereby makes it easy toremove the release-liner 13 from the face mask 8. When the release-liner13 is removed the face mask 8 can be placed in the forehead, and isready to be used.

After use, the face mask 8 is removed by pulling the removal grip 14 anddue to a regular even pull (single direction) along the adhesive stripthe mask may easily be removed implying minimum pulling of the skin.

FIGS. 18-21 show schematically the results of experiments examining theflow of water on the surface of different embodiments of face masks.

EXAMPLE Comparison of Flow of Water from Face Protection Masks HavingDifferently Shaped Bottom Edges

Shields made from PU sheet and specimen having a bottom edge having onecentral convex part, having a bottom edge having a convex-concave-convexshape, having a linear horizontal bottom edge and having one convexbottom part offset the centre were tested.

For each specimen water was sprayed onto the shield using a shower, andthe pattern of draining off of water was noted. The results arepresented in FIGS. 18-21.

The result from testing the specimen having bottom edge having onecentral convex part appears from FIG. 18 showing that when the waterstreams 120 hit the face mask 8, water streams towards the tip 5 of theconvex bottom edge 6, creating a draining of water from the tip 5 overthe nose and mouth region.

The result from testing the specimen having a bottom edge havingconvex-concave-convex shape appears from FIG. 19 showing that when thewater streams 120 hit the face mask 8, water streams towards the convexpoints 2 on the bottom edge 6, leading the water away from the nose andmouth region minimising the amount of water that drips in front of thenose and mouth region and thus may enter the mouth.

The result from testing the specimen having a linear horizontal bottomedge appears from FIG. 20 showing that when the water streams 120 hitthe face mask 8, water streams towards the bottom edge 6 in essentiallylinear lines. The amount of water dripping in front of the nose andmouth is smaller than when using the face mask of FIG. 18, but largerthan when using the face mask of FIG. 19.

The result from testing the specimen having a bottom edge having oneconvex bottom part offset the centre appears from FIG. 21 showing thatwhen the water streams 120 hit the face mask 8, water streams towardsthe convex point 2 on the bottom edge 6. The water that hits the mask onthe short side opposite the convex point mainly streams along the edge 6towards the convex point 2, hence considerable more water drips in frontof the nose and mouth in this case than when using the face mask of FIG.19.

SUMMARY LISTING OF REFERENCES

-   WO 2004/010912 (SHARKLIDS EYEGEAR LLC)-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,732 (Coloplast A/S)-   U.S. Pat. No. 3,339,546 (E. R. Squibb and Sons, Inc.)-   WO 2005/033198 (Coloplast A/S)-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,535 (Forbes)-   WO 2005/110147 (Christian Erdinger).

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A protective face mask comprising: aneye-protecting shield made essentially from a plastics material, theeye-protecting shield being dimensioned to cover at least the eyeportions of a human wearer, the eye-protecting shield having a perimeterdefining a first surface facing the wearer's face, and a second surfacefacing away from the wearer's face, said mask having a centre line; anadhesive forming an adhesive strip attached to the first surface of theeye-protecting shield for providing a substantially watertight andreleasable sealing engagement between at least a portion of theperimeter forming an upper edge of the face mask and at least a portionof the skin of the wearer's face, wherein the upper part of theperimeter of the mask is provided with a continuous layer of adhesivealong the perimeter, and the lower part of the perimeter of the mask isfree of adhesive, the lower part of the perimeter forms a bottom edge ofthe mask being provided with a convex-concave-convex bottom edge havingtwo convex parts forming projections offset from the centre line of themask, and wherein the mask extends along with and in contact with thecontour of the wearer's face from the forehead to cheekbones and thelower perimeter thereof extends to minimum the tip of the nose and nolonger that the level of the mouth.
 21. The face mask according to claim20, wherein the upper part of the perimeter of the mask has a generallyconvex shape.
 22. The face mask according to claim 20, wherein theeye-protecting shield is made from one single piece of material, withsaid adhesive being attached to said first surface of the single-pieceeye-protecting shield.
 23. The face mask according to claim 20, whereinthe adhesive is capable of adhering to wet and/or substantially dryskin.
 24. The face mask according to claim 20 comprising an adhesivefrom a group consisting of hydrocolloid, hydrogel and any combinationthereof.
 25. The face mask according to claim 20, wherein the adhesiveprovides a resealable sealing engagement with the skin of the wearer'sface.
 26. The face mask according to claim 20, wherein the adhesivecomprises a flexible adhesive structure.
 27. The face mask according toclaim 20, wherein an expandable layer is provided between the adhesivestrip and the shield, said expandable layer being provided with one ormore pockets having at least one opening adjacent to the upper edge ofthe mask.
 28. The face mask according to claim 27, wherein theexpandable layer comprises a series of individual pockets.
 29. The facemask according to claim 27, wherein the expandable layer comprises aseries of interconnected pockets.
 30. The face mask according to claim20, wherein the central part of the bottom edge of the mask is providedwith a gutter system.
 31. The face mask according to claim 20, whereinthe eye-protecting shield is flexible, light and transparent.
 32. Theface mask according to claim 20, wherein the eye-protecting shield isflexible and capable of conforming to the shape and contour of thewearer's face in the region of the wearer's eyes and nose.
 33. The facemask according to claim 20, wherein the plastics material of theeye-protecting shield is provided with a coating with one or morecoatings selected from the group consisting of coatings protectingagainst ultra-violet penetration; coatings providing water-shedding orhydrophobic properties; and coatings providing anti-dew properties. 34.The face mask according to claim 20, wherein the mask is provided with aprojection removal grip located on the same level as the end of theadhesive strip.
 35. The face mask according to claim 20, which isprovided with a release-liner provided with a projection removal griplocated on the same level as the face mask's removal grip.
 36. The facemask according to claim 20, wherein the layer of adhesive forms anadhesive strip along the perimeter until the level of the corner of theeye.